SINGAPORE - Several governments have issued travel advisories urging its citizens to take precautions should they have plans to travel to Singapore, which finds itself battling the Zika virus after the first locally transmitted case was reported last Saturday (Aug 27).
Since then, the total number of locally infected cases has risen to 82, with the authorities warning of more cases likely to be uncovered in the coming days.
The United States on Tuesday (Aug 30) joined the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan in reminding travellers of the dangers of the mosquito-borne virus, while Malaysia has introduced thermal scanning for those entering Johor by bus at the land checkpoints.
Here's a round-up of what they are saying.
US
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added Singapore to its interim travel guidance list.
In a statement on its website, it urged pregnant women not to travel to Singapore, recommended that travellers protect themselves from mosquito bites and warned that sexual transmission of the virus is also possible.
South Korea
South Korean travellers will reportedly receive text message with a Zika warning when they arrive in Singapore.
United Kingdom
On its website, the UK government's foreign travel advice for travelling to Singapore was to advise women who are pregnant or planning to conceive to discuss their travel plans with their doctors.
Australia
In a statement on its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website, the Australian government warned travellers to protect themselves from mosquito bites while in Singapore.
"Adopt additional measures advised by the Department of Health, including deferring non-essential travel if pregnant, avoiding pregnancy for two months following your return and other advice for both males and females," it added.
Taiwan
Taiwan's Centres for Disease Control on Monday raised the travel notice level for Singapore to Level 2, citing the potential risk of Zika transmission here.
It urged pregnant women to postpone their trips to Singapore, and for travellers to avoid mosquito bites.
Malaysia
Travellers who take the bus into Johor from Singapore will have to undergo thermal screening for Zika, while those crossing the border via vehicles like cars, taxis and motorcycles will be given a pamphlet on the symptoms of the virus.
Between 150,000 and 200,000 people commute between Singapore and Johor daily.
Similar screenings are also being implemented at airport terminals hosting direct flights from Singapore, such as in Penang and Langkawi.
Health Minister Subramaniam said in a press conference on Monday: "The risk is imminent... the main thing is to reduce the risk of the virus spreading to others."
